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Party with the Conservatives

The Conservatives want to meet the people of Manchester, so they're inviting us on a night out (or three)

Published on September 8th 2009.

The Conservative Party are coming to Manchester for their annual conference in October. It's the first time ever that they've held their full conference in the city, and they want to make the most of their time here. So rather than locking themselves away in Manchester Central all week, they'll be getting out there and meeting the people of Manchester.

There'll be live acts on including Cherri V, a roller disco, a battle of the bands, an Xbox area, a chill-out lounge, and a Be the DJ event where celebrities and MPs will be playing their favourite tunes.

Thankfully, this won't involve them knocking on your door at tea time to try and engage you in a debate about public services. Instead, it will involve a whole series of nights out at clubs, bars and pubs in the city centre. The Conservatives are getting their groove on, it seems. They're throwing a party.

In fact, they're throwing several. The biggest is called Party for Change and will be held at Pure in the Printworks on 7 October from 9.30pm until 3.30am. There'll be live acts on including Cherri V, a roller disco, a battle of the bands, an Xbox area, a chill-out lounge, and a Be the DJ event where celebrities and MPs will be playing their favourite tunes. If you're interested in finding out what the party has to offer, while having a top night out, go along. Tickets cost £5 for students and £10 for the rest of us. Or if you want a VIP ticket, which includes a cocktail reception and canapés, and entrance to the VIP lounge, it's £50.

But before Party for Change, there are two other social events planned. The first may be of particular interest to Confidential readers as it focuses on an issue close to many people's hearts – the survival of the Great British pub.

Party chairman Eric Pickles will be the host of the Save the Great British Pub Quiz which will be held in the pub at the Palace Hotel on 5 October from 6pm to 7.30pm. You can compete against teams of Conservative Party delegates, with the questions coming from senior party representatives and celebrities including actor William Roach and author Michael Dobbs. Prizes will include shopping and restaurant vouchers. A hog roast (with a vegetarian option) will be included in the price of £10.

The following night, on 6 October, they'll be hosting a high profile event called Conference Pride at Spirit Bar in the Village from 9.30pm to 3.30am. This will be hosted by political commentator Iain Dale and vice chairman of the Conservative Party, Margot James – the party's first openly lesbian candidate. With cocktails on arrival, a performance by diva Angie Brown, and funky house and pop floors, it looks like an interesting event. And of course, it'll be a chance to find out about the Conservative's stance on gay issues from the MPs themselves. There'll also be a celebrity auction, promotional bar prices and an address from Ben Summerskill of Stonewall. Tickets for this one cost £15.

It's pretty clear from all these events that the Conservatives are keen to reach out to voters who may not have considered supporting them before. Whether it will work or not is yet to be seen, but they're determined to have a good time trying.